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Continued Coverage
Educators, families applaud decision to OK graduation ceremonies
Graduates will be allowed to bring two members from their household.
Student enrollment fluctuates within UH system; blended learning to continue
University President Lassner will continue with his 20% pay cut, while other execs got their salaries restored.
Superintendent says full in-person learning unlikely to resume before summer
"We don’t want to reopen and then shut down.”
Hawaii panel designates relief money for teacher salaries
The state House education committee passed legislation compelling the state DOE to use federal coronavirus relief money to support public school teacher salaries instead of allocating the funds for other uses.
MOST RECENT
After 180 years, St. Ann’s Catholic School to close its doors
Leaders of St. Ann’s said they were financially challenged due to declining enrollment.
Governor: Public schools to face smaller budget cut than previously thought
In a statement, Ige said the changes to the budget forecast stemmed from the availability of additional federal funds and a more optimistic revenue projection by the Council of Revenues.
Oahu public school principal under fire for holding student assembly for more than 80
The Hawaii State Teachers Association said it was “appalled” to learn that the school held a 30-minute assembly with nearly 80 students on Tuesday.
Student at Lanai High and Elementary School tests positive for COVID-19
The student was last on campus Jan. 7.
DOE cancels proms, other large gatherings for remainder of the school year
There is an exception for graduation ceremonies, though they will not be traditional.
DOE finds a way to spare hundreds of teaching positions, but hundreds more at risk
The Department of Education is still trying to determine the impact of the governor’s proposed cuts.The number of jobs that could be lost has been adjusted and appears to be less than originally thought.
Know an awesome teacher? Nominate them as an Extraordinary Educator!
Starting in November, Hawaii News Now will feature ‘Extraordinary Educators’ during our 4 p.m. newscast every Monday.
Maui parents blindsided after distance learning is extended an extra month
Students were set to return to some form of in-person learning on Tuesday.
Program SEARCH helps special needs students gain valuable hands-on work experience
“It actually builds their self-esteem. It causes them to work on those soft skills that they need to work on to be successful in society.”
DOE announces furlough schedule for teachers, employees starting Jan. 4
The DOE sent an email to public school teachers Monday night with a list of dates the furloughs will take place.
Keolu Elementary teacher scores a sweet new ride for her dedication to students
“I am passionate about I do. When my kids need help, I want to help."
Kauai public schools revise distance learning plans for January
The complex area superintendent announced Monday that they will start blended learning for students in all secondary schools next month
The gift of technology: Punahou alumnus looks to help Native Hawaiian students in need
Using their own money, they bought four laptops to giveaway.
DOE: 30 new cases of COVID-19 among students, employees reported last week
From June 26 until Nov. 20, the DOE said there’s been a cumulative total of 285 coronavirus cases within the school system.
University of Hawaii reports promising graduation, retention rates
At the Manoa campus, on-time graduation rate is at a record high of 37%
Report identifies the top credentials Hawaii employers are looking for when hiring
Most good paying jobs require a post-secondary credential like a college degree or an industry recognized certificate.
Still no timeline set on when high school sports will return to Hawaii
Hawaii is one three states yet to restart school athletics.
Charter school commission criticized for ‘erroneous’ rejections of new applicants
The BOE said commission staffers shouldn't have rejected the schools’ applications because preliminary forms were incomplete.
UH Manoa Fall 2020 commencement canceled
The spring 2020 commencement ceremony was also canceled earlier this year.
Kahuku’s ‘Red Raider’ mascot soon to be a thing of the past
The DOE received a complaint that the mascot was disrespectful and racially insensitive to Native Americans.
Kapolei High temporarily closing to in-person activities after 3 COVID cases
The three employees were made aware of their positive results in the last four days.
State looks to bridge digital divide with mobile learning hubs
In order to bridge the digital divide, the Department of Education has set up mobile learning hubs in communities on the Big Island and Oahu to ensure all needs are met.
Student-athletes still awaiting green light to begin prep sports season
The Hawaii High School Athletics Association has created a tentative schedule, but is waiting for final approval from the state.
Long-time Ala Wai Elementary teacher named Hawaii’s Teacher of the Year
“To my students, my ambassadors of aloha, your voices ring passionately true."
DOE criticized for slow transition away from online program with inappropriate content
One lesson, for example, compared Harriet Tubman to a burglar.
DOE finalizing transition plan to phase out controversial distance learning program
Parents previously criticized the program saying it contained racist and incorrect content.
Free grab-and-go meals return to more than 200 public schools this fall
“We encourage parents to keep their keiki’s health a priority and to visit the nearest participating school for pick-ups.”
Uncertainty lingers over safety of welcoming back students to in-person learning
The Department of Education has yet to release a clear plan for reopening classrooms.
BOE rejects HSTA’s calls to put off students' return to campuses statewide
The blended plan calls for in-person and distance learning.
BOE chair raises doubts about plan for in-person learning at public schools
The teachers' union says there's too much confusion about the requirements to restart in-person teaching.
With fall break nearing, Castle High students to hand out out fun activity kits
Windward Oahu families can pick one up this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Castle parking lot.
Maui community rallies around long-time teacher put on leave by the DOE
Hundreds rallied in Haiku, Maui on Monday to show support for a long-time educator who was recently put on leave.
3 Hawaii public schools named national Blue Ribbon winners
The US Department of Education has named three Hawaii elementary schools as 2020 National Blue Ribbon winners.
WCC to offer first-of-its-kind digital degree in Hawaiian Studies
Native Hawaiians living on the mainland will pay in-state, resident tuition for the degree program.
Let’s read, baby! Local teacher’s hip hop parody encourages page-turning
An elementary school teacher is breaking the ice and teaching students how to read in a creative new way.
Public schools will make ‘gradual’ transition to blended learning in October
The superintendent stressed that there is no “one size fits all” approach to reopening Hawaii’s public schools.
DOE reports 3 COVID-19 cases at Kalihi school in past week
The campus remains open, but impacted areas have been professionally cleaned and sanitized.
Iolani School announces plans to resume on-campus instruction
Students and staff will have to follow new safety measures while on campus.
Law students have more time to make a decision regarding the Hawaii Bar Exam
Some were concerned over COVID-19 and the administering of the test to over 100 students in the same room.
Laptops and iPads stolen from distance learning center
Distancing learning devices stolen overnight, which forced a learning facility in Manoa to cancel classes for the day.
DOE extends distance learning for most Hawaii schools through first quarter
The new plan, announced Thursday, applies to all Oahu schools and most Neighbor Island schools.
HSTA has a gripe over order that deepens divide between public, private schools
The HSTA president called the rules "shibai and outrageous!"
Parent complaints mount over use of DOE-approved platform for online learning
Critics say the program's founder was also tied to a cult.
As public schools move fully online, DOE says some students don’t have needed equipment
“Are there going to be students that don’t have a device or don’t have network access? ... Yes, absolutely.”
YMCA Honolulu seeks funding for new centers geared toward students learning online
The YMCA of Honolulu is seeking financial assistance for their learning center program, which was created help students whose schools are implementing distance learning models.
Parents stunned after Nanakuli charter school disenrolls more than 270 students
Many parents turned to the school for their blended learning offerings amid the pandemic.
Many Hawaii students spend first day online as virus surges
"Given the conditions of the state of new rates of infections, that’s the only safe way to handle it right now.”
An ‘unusual’ year begins for public school students with remote learning, in-person gatherings
Some parents and teachers have argued that with coronavirus cases on the rise, students shouldn’t be spending any amount of time on campus.
DOE to release confirmation of COVID-19 cases by complex area, not campus
HSTA says it’s a vague solution, and individual schools should be reported.
As students prepare to return to class online, HNN hosts ‘Back to School: Keiki Concerns’
As the new school year is set to begin on Aug. 17, Hawaii News Now wants to hear from students.
With teachers back on campus, staff member at Iliahi Elementary tests positive for covid
The Wahiawa campus was temporarily closed and sanitized.
With COVID-19 cases on the rise, Chaminade offers students online option for fall
The school says students won't be penalized for self quarantining during the entire semester.
Amid COVID-19 surge in Hawaii, reopening of public schools delayed
The delay is designed to give schools additional time to prepare for the return of students and to train educators on distance learning tools.
State: 6 COVID-19 cases were reported at summer school programs
State: 8 COVID-19 cases were reported at summer school programs
Superintendent now supports delay in reopening public school campuses
Kishimoto and the Department of Education will reportedly ask board members to alter the calendar so that students return to school on August 17 instead of August 4.
Status of schools uncertain, Hawaii families explore homeschool options during pandemic
With plans for reopening public schools still up in the air, more Hawaii families are considering homeschooling their children.
While school board deliberates date, more educators express anxiety over reopening
Public school teachers and staff are set to return to the classroom next week, but we could see a delay in students heading back to school.
HPU to welcome students back with new health and safety measures
At the dorms, if one of the students feel ill, HPU has isolation rooms ready.